Themes of Human Geography

Population Patterns 1.List factors that influence population growth and distribution and define key population terminology. 2. I can analyze the challenges that population growth poses for the planet.

One is the birthrate. This is the number of live births per thousand people in the population. Another way to study population is to look at the fertility rate. The fertility rate shows the average number of children a woman would have in her lifetime. The mortality rate, also called the death rate, is the number of deaths per thousand people in the population. Geographers also look at infant mortality rates. The infant mortality rate shows the number of deaths among infants under the age of one per thousand live births. To understand population growth, geographers use several different statistics:

Rate of Natural Increase – the rate at which a population is growing or shrinking. It is the difference between the birth rate and the mortality rate. Population Pyramid – a graphic device that shows sex and age distribution of a population.

Life Expectancy – Average lifespan Population Density – calculated by population PER area (sq. mile) Literacy – ability to read and write, to be literate (shows level of education) GDP (Gross Domestic Product) – value of domestic product within a country (How much money the people or the country is making) Standard of Living (like Quality of Life) – determined from literacy rate, life expectancy, and GDP

There are 7 billion people in the world, and they are not spread out equally across the land. Factors, such as climate, altitude, and access to water, influence where people choose to live.

Almost two-thirds of the world’s population lives in the zone between 20 and 60 North Latitude. The lands in this zone have the best climate and vegetation for humans to live. To understand how heavily populated an area is, geographers use a figure called population density. This is the average number of people who live in a measurable area such as square mile.

Analyze the Political Cartoon

Centers of Population Migration is the movement of people from one location to another. Push-Pull Factors – are reasons for migration. Push factors are things like famine, political oppression, Civil war. Pull factors are things like jobs, freedom, and education. The general world trend of movement is from rural areas into urban areas (cities). This movement to cities is known as urbanization. Today, almost half of the world’s population lives in cities. Cities are not just areas with large populations—they are also centers of business and culture.

An urban area develops around central city and it’s business district. The built-up area around the central city may include suburbs. Suburbs are political units touching the central city or touching other suburbs that touch the city. Smaller cities or towns with open land between them and the central city are called exurbs. The cities suburbs and exurbs link together economically to form a functional area called a Metropolitan Area. When several Metropolitan areas grow together a Megalopolis is formed.

Push & Pull Factors Worksheet

Many cities are found in places that allow good transportation, such as on a river, lake, or coast. Others are found in places with easy access to natural resources. Urban geographers also study land use in cities and the activities that take place in cities. Basic land use patterns found in all cities are residential, industrial, and commercial. The commercial core of a city is called the central business district, or CBD. Business offices and stores are found in this part of the city. Generally, the farther you get from the CBD, the lower the value of land. In these less expensive areas are industrial activities, residential areas, and retail areas. Major cities will have several forms of mass transit and other transportation systems.

3. Identify the factors that define a culture. 4. I can describe the different types of religion Culture and Lifestyles

Culture is the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors shared by a group of people. A group that shares a common language, a sense of identity, and its culture is called a society. How are these two classrooms different? Factors of Culture: Food & ShelterEducationReligion LanguageRelationshipsOrganization

Language is one of the most important aspects of culture because it allows people within a culture to communicate. Language helps establish cultural identity. Versions of a language are called dialects. A dialect reflects changes in speech patterns related to class, region, or other cultural changes.

Monotheistic – a belief in one god Polytheistic – a belief in many gods Animistic – a belief in the divine forces of nature Religion is the belief in a supernatural power or powers that are viewed as creators and maintainers of the universe.

Religion Check

Judaism is the oldest monotheistic religion. Followers are called Jews. It has a long tradition of faith and culture tied tightly together. Christianity evolved from the teachings of Judaism. It too is monotheistic. Christianity is based on the teachings of Jesus Christ. Islam is based on the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad. Its followers are known as Muslims. Islam is a monotheistic religion. The world’s oldest religion is Hinduism. It is usually considered to be polytheistic. Hinduism’s rigid caste system shapes many aspects of Hindus’ lives and culture. An offshoot of Hinduism is Buddhism. It developed about 563 B.C. in India. Its founder, Siddhartha Gautama, is called the Buddha, or Enlightened One.

Cultures and Societies are always in the process of changing. Change happens more quickly in some. It can come about through innovation or the spread of ideas or behaviors from one culture to another. Taking existing technology and resources and creating something new to meet a need is called Innovation. The spread of ideas, inventions, or patterns of behavior is called diffusion. A cultural hearth is a site of innovation from which basic ideas, materials, and technology diffuse to many cultures. Acculturation / Convergence occurs when a society changes because it adopts an innovation.

“Where’s Matt” Video Clips Diffusion vs Convergence

Major Changes in Society and Culture Throughout History Cultures change over time. Nomads eventually settled in river valleys and began to grow crops. The change is known as the Agricultural Revolution. Surplus of food set the stage for the rise of cities. With more food available, there was less need for everyone in a settlement to farm. People were able to develop other ways to live. Cultural diffusion has increased rapidly during the last 250 years. Some countries began to industrialize using power driven machines (Industrial Revolution). Quick new production methods changed these countries economies (known as the Economic Revolution).

Map of world culture areas Tigris/Euphrates 2. Indus River 3. Ganges River 4. Huang He 5. Nile River Cultural Hearths Mesoamerica- not “river civilizations”

Coke Can Anthropology Analysis